Just Say No (Peacefully)... to Coal

Sanctuary Blog

In just a little more than a month, the world will see the end of George W. Bush (one would hope that eight years into his presidency, most Americans would not chuckle at shoe-hurling Iraqis, but be humbled by their fury and pain), though not his poisonous legacy, which we'll have to work long and hard to uproot. Things are beginning to look more promising for vastly improved U.S. leadership on climate change, and not a moment too soon. Some Americans won't be sitting on the sidelines as the new Administration gets settled. We'll be taking seriously President-elect Obama's call for a movement for change that continues past election day last November 4, and Al Gore's call for creative non-violence at coal plants. A coalition of environmental, energy, and climate change organizations (including Greenpeace, the Rainforest Action Network, 350.org and others) is planning a day of "civil civil disobedience" in Washington D.C. outside a coal plant on Capitol Hill that powers the lights in the halls and offices of the U.S. Congress. The peaceful protest at the plant, on March 2, 2009, will lead, hopefully, to thousands of arrests, and will bring attention and momentum to demands for immediate governmental action on climate change. As the fight against coal fires up here in the U.S., fingers crossed that India, China, and other countries will see the light as well, and reject coal in favor of cleaner alternatives. It's a small planet, we're all in this survival thing together! Gandhi, I'm sure, is with us in spirit. Check out the following link for information about the mass action planned in Washington: